I love the hymn,

“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His word.

Just to rest upon His promise

Just to know thus saith the Lord.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus,

O for grace to trust Him more.”

The story behind the hymn was a surprise to me. Louisa M.R. Stead was from England, moved to the U.S., met and married a man, wanted to be a missionary, was prevented because of health reasons, and eventually added a daughter to the family.  When the daughter was around eight years old, the family went on a picnic to the shore.  When the father raced into the water to save a drowning little boy, he was pulled under as well, and both died.  This hymn was written after this life-altering accident, sometime around 1880.

Louisa did go on to serve as a missionary to South Africa and Zimbabwe, and her daughter also served as a missionary when she grew up.  Louisa remarried while in South Africa.

I like how the song mentions Jesus so many times.  If a person were to sing all the stanzas, they would sing His name around 25 times.  It always amazes me (though it should not) how God works in the hearts of people who have been through tragedy, to bring something of beauty and encouragement to others.  This song inspires us to have faith—“Just to take Him at His word”

To have peace—“Just to rest upon His promise”—perhaps the promise of salvation—there are so many wonderful promises in God’s word!

To have confidence in God’s word—“Just to know thus saith the Lord”

Then she brings our focus back to Jesus—the author and finisher of our faith,

The beautiful name above all names, the precious name of Jesus—more precious than silver or gold.

“Jesus, Jesus,

How I trust Him,”

Louisa tells us that she has trusted Him and proved Him over and over.

Yet still recognizes her need, as a human being—

“Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus,

O for grace to trust Him more”.

Today, I pray that you would remember to look to Jesus if you’re having a hard time trusting—remember that He is trustworthy, dependable, and His grace is sufficient for whatever you may be facing.  We are all human, we are but dust, and God knows that about us, so focus on Jesus, and pray for His “grace to trust Him more”.

-by Pam Konnerup